Adding RAID Storage to Server

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DudeItsMe

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I am looking at replacing the storage device we have on our network here at work. It's only about 400 GB and starting to get full, however I am sure a lot of it is junk. Here is what I want:

RAID (just mirroring)
Size: At least 640 after mirroring, probably 1 TB

We currently have a HP Proliant DL-320 G5 for the server and a Snap 410 for the NAS (it is a model with 353 GB after formatting). I am not really having much luck with the snap, as it is slow for the Mac user on our network to acess, and I can't get the damn thing to join our Windows Server 2008 domain.

I was thinking I could just add a PCI-E card with E-SATA to the server, and get an external enclosure that will hold 2-4 dirves and connect via E-SATA, then do the file and share management through the server. We only have about six users who need to use the network storage, so I am not sure a heavy duty NAS is what we need.

Is a external enclosure a good idea instead of a full-fledged NAS? I am not very experienced with this type of stuff, but I don't think the Snap offers much extra utility to us. An external enclosure, two hard drives, and a e-SATA card would be MUCH cheaper.
 
windows home server with duplication turned on and when needed you can just add another hdd
 
D'oh... my dad likes the Snap because it supports Raid 5. Sounds like we may want something that can do the Raid 5.

Also, WHS can't be accessed by the Mac from what I see, and it can't join a server domain :(
 
RAID hardware controller with external connector and a 4 bay external case seems like a good plan. Then run 3-4 discs of the size you need in RAID5 or 6
 
Okay, I think that is the direction I am going to go.

Now, I have a few noob questions, since this is my first RAID setup.

I've been looking at what I will need, and...

For an external enclosure, is it better to have a 1x eSATA, or 4 x eSATA? I may end up with as many as 4 drives, but for performance and setup, I'm not sure what is better. These two ICYDOCK expansion bays seem nearly identical, minus the number of ports:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994037

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817198028

Which one would be a better choice? Also, is there some other external enclosure someone would recommend for up to four drives? Newegg doesn't seem to be the best place to shop this type of thing, but I am not sure where else to look.

Obviously a RAID card that supports Raid 5/6. I can use a full PCI-X card in our server. I just need to know if I want to get 1-4 ports, and what a good one to go with would be.

And then of course drives. I'm assuming 4 x 1 TB WD Caviar Green would be a wise choice? That would give us more than enough storage, and the price point of 1 TB drives seems to be the best (cost per GB).
 
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